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Introduction and Modded Gibson Guitars


diamoroso

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Hi everyone, I just joined the forum and figured I'd introduce myself by showing off my Gibsons.  I have always been a Fender and Gretsch fan growing up, Gibson electric guitars didn't really appeal to me so much in the past, until I found my ES-335.  It's just a "Studio" model, but it really connected with me when I played it.  I also end up making mods to nearly every guitar I own, and have been considering adding a Bigsby since the day I bought the guitar.  The one thing that put me off was that I worried it would alter the tone too much, and I really love the way this particular guitar sounds.  I finally went for it when I found the Towner system, so I could install the Bigsby with out drilling, and I can always return the guitar to stock now.  At the same time I added the Bigsby, I decided to add an aluminum Compton bridge.  The Compton bridge is something I caught onto through owning Gretsch guitars, and I love the way they feel with a Bigsby vs a TOM.  Luckily, after adding both the new bridge and bigsby, I didn't lose the tone I loved.  It definitely changed, however only a tiny bit, and I actually think for the better.  I also worried about the Compton bridge intonating, but no problems there either!  For anyone like me adding a Bigsby to their Gibsons, I'd recommend considering the Compton bridge to compliment it.  Any way, here's the 335:

792-DCFEA-DBD0-4-C67-ADB5-11-E4-A91630-F

And my J45 Standard for good measure.  This one has been modded with a bone nut and saddle, and Waverly open back tuners.

9-D94-F6-E2-05-D9-4671-BFE5-BEE38-A8929-

Edited by diamoroso
fixing pictures
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Welcome to the Forum.. Nice Studio! The Bigsby is a cool upgrade to your Guitar.. In my experience adding the Bigsby has made my Guitars more versatile & better sounding.. Also, better looking!

I’ve used Vibramates in the past which also allows you to return it to original Stock without drilling any holes.. They work great.. I am curious about the Comptons? What’s different?

Unfortunately nether can be used on my new Royal Tan USA Epiphone Casino..  I really want to put a Bigsby B-7 on it but will have to drill holes.. It will be a permanent upgrade..  But, it’s ok, I’m a Bigsby Guy.

Edited by Larsongs
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On 10/10/2021 at 9:49 PM, Larsongs said:

Welcome to the Forum.. Nice Studio! The Bigsby is a cool upgrade to your Guitar.. In my experience adding the Bigsby has made my Guitars more versatile & better sounding.. Also, better looking!

I’ve used Vibramates in the past which also allows you to return it to original Stock without drilling any holes.. They work great.. I am curious about the Comptons? What’s different?

Unfortunately nether can be used on my new Royal Tan USA Epiphone Casino..  I really want to put a Bigsby B-7 on it but will have to drill holes.. It will be a permanent upgrade..  But, it’s ok, I’m a Bigsby Guy.

Thank you!  Regarding the Compton bridge, I like it particularly because how how it feels when using the Bigsby.  It's subtle, some players may not notice the difference even, but I just feel like the strings meet less resistance at the bridge when using the Bigsby with a Compton.  It also definitely colors the sound a bit.  It's always hard for me to describe tonal differences, but I would say it kinda makes the tone more balanced, a little rounder across frequencies, if that makes any sense.  Whatever is actually happening with the tone, I noticed similar changes on both the 335 and my Gretsch 6120.  The downside is the intonation can not be adjusted, however if you're careful to get the right measurements before ordering the bridge it seems to line up really nicely for most people I know who have made the change.   Probably not the bridge for everyone, but I'll probably replace any TOM bridge guitars with one going forward.

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I meant to say the TOWNER system with regard to adding a Bigsby without having to drill any holes… Although the Compton Bridge is quite interesting as well.

I’ve recently discovered the Vibramate doesn’t work on Casino’s. I was planning on getting one & adding a Bigsby B-7 but no such thing for that Guitar because of the Trapeze Tailpiece I’m told.

I’m hoping for an alternative because I really want a Bigsby B-7 on my new USA Casino but don’t want to drill any holes.. The B-3 looks too short & not quite right on the Casino’s.. Hopefully there is a solution….

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3 hours ago, Larsongs said:

I meant to say the TOWNER system with regard to adding a Bigsby without having to drill any holes… Although the Compton Bridge is quite interesting as well.

I’ve recently discovered the Vibramate doesn’t work on Casino’s. I was planning on getting one & adding a Bigsby B-7 but no such thing for that Guitar because of the Trapeze Tailpiece I’m told.

I’m hoping for an alternative because I really want a Bigsby B-7 on my new USA Casino but don’t want to drill any holes.. The B-3 looks too short & not quite right on the Casino’s.. Hopefully there is a solution….

Oh got it.  Well, assuming the Casino has the same or similar neck angle as a 335, I don't think the Towner will be a no drill option either.  The string tension bar replaces the stop bar, which obviously a Casino doesn't have, and that string tension bar is definitely essential.  With out a string tension bar the strings from the Bigbsy across the bridge would probably be flat.

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